10 Worlds’ Richest Football Clubs in 2017

In 2017, Manchester United of England became the first club to surpass a £500 million turnover, which was enough to deny Real Madrid of their top spot on the list for the 12th year running as the richest football club in the world. Not much has changed in the long run, though, the League’s top three clubs have remained the same since the study was launches 20 years ago, in 1997. The combined money league clubs’ revenues increased by a massive 12% this year, reaching a total of £5.5 billion across the top 20 teams.



Manchester United [England]

Manchester United of England is undoubtedly the richest club in the world. The ‘Red Devils’ have never been far from the top three – briefly toppling out during their 2012/13 season under David Moyes – but this is the first time they’ve hit top spot in over a decade. The club benefited financially from huge sponsorship deals with Chevrolet and Adidas and a return to the Champions League three season ago.


Barcelona [Spain]

Barcelona topped their mortal enemies at last this year, perhaps thanks to the unlikely contributions of Bruce Springsteen.‘The Boss’ used the Catalonian Nou Camp to host two shows of ‘The River Tour’, earning the club nearly €8 million.


Real Madrid [Spain]

Winning the Champions League and a steady annual revenue gain of 7% wasn’t enough to keep the Los Blancos on top for the 12th year running.


Bayern Munich [Germany]

Bayern charted a monumental 25% increase in income over the last season after they won their 25th Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal Final.


Manchester City [England]

This is the first time Manchester City have breached the Money League top 5. The Abu Dhabi-owned City had their best ever Champions League run last season after they lost out to eventual winners, Real Madrid, in the semi-finals.


Paris St-Germain [France]

This is the first time PSG have dropped out of the Money League top 5 since they were famously bought up by Qatar Sports Investments for €120 million in 2011. Superstar striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, was sold to Manchester United last year, they’ve dropped two places in the rankings.


Arsenal [England]

Matchday revenues keep Arsenal in the top 10 and no wonder – a season ticket to watch Wenger’s side is the most expensive in Britain at £1,014.


Chelsea [England]

Chelsea’s owner, Roman Abramovich, is one of the wealthiest men in Russia – worth an estimated £5.8 billion. His vast riches have inevitably trickled down and Chelsea is rarely out of the top 5 in the rankings. Perhaps next year will see a return for the London giants as Stanford Bridge is expanded.


Liverpool [England]

Jurgen Klopp’s side secured ninth place for the 3rd year running, despite a continued lack of Champions League football. Their revenues are set to increase next year as Anfield returns to full capacity post-renovation.


Juventus [Italy]

Italy’s biggest club was helped by a continued sponsorship deal with Jeep, which saw over 1.5 million shirt sales last season.